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Aisling White from the Goodstart Early learning Centre in Darwin. Aisling represented NT/SA in the Educator of the Year category at the 2014 Australian Family Early Education and Care Awards.
What is your name?
My name is Aisling White, the children call me Miss Ash, Miss Ashely White or Miss Ashy and I am 26 years old.
Which centre do you work in? How many staff and children are in the centre?
I work at Goodstart Early Learning in Darwin. We have 21 staff and full occupancy on a daily basis is 75 so we average over 100 children depending on full time and part time.
What is your professional background and career experience?
I studied B.A in Accounting and didn't like it, then did a course in Special needs in Ireland. In Ireland I worked for a few months here and there as a classroom assistant, voluntary work and I babysat children since I was 13 years old. I minded a girl with autism for many years this is what inspired me to do the course on Special needs.
My mum had her own child care service from our home house so I was always involved with children. I came to Australia and started as an unqualified assistant as it took nearly two years to get my qualifications transferred over to Australian qualifications. In Queensland the department of Education said it was a diploma and the when I moved to the N.T they said I had to go through ACEQA and they said it wasn't so hard to study a few units and then get RPL from the Goodstart Training College. I eventually got my diploma and now I am studying with Charles Darwin University for my BTLEC.
What attracted you to a career in child care?
The previous experience I had from Ireland and I love to make a difference, helping children develop to their full potential is amazing. When you see a child progress in any area it is an amazing achievement. The first five years is so important to a child's life, I love seeing them turn into capable competent learners and instilling lifelong lessons from such a young age.
What does a 'normal' day look like for you?
Every day is different. Educators could be sick, children could be sick, casual staff might be in your room. Children could be in a bad mood. You might have your day planned out to perfection and the minute you start a learning experience, the children might not be interested and branch off to a different area. Spontaneous learning happens on a daily basis. The love the children show to you on a daily basis is unconditional. At such a young age they have such a personality, telling funny stories to their peers and educators. Seeing a child progress or meet a developmental milestone is such a great feeling, knowing you had an impact in it.
What makes your centre unique?
Everyone supports each other; if you are struggling there are always people there to help. The connections the educators have with the children and families is unique within our centre. On a daily basis I have children asking me 'Can you come and play with me in my house today?' or 'If my mum and dad go on holidays can you come to my house to mind me'. The culture also, it is such a multi cultural centre and we respect and celebrate them all. I am Irish and on each St Patrick's Day I do Irish dancing for the children in each room and explain to them where I come from etc. In our centre just among the staff there are people from Australia, Greece, Serbia, Ireland, India, Africa, Thailand, Philippines, Indigenous. We also have two males working in our centre which is a great impact among the children in the centre.
What are some of the advantages of working in the child care sector?
You get to make a difference to the younger generation of Australia. You are making an impact on their life which hopefully they will remember along their journey to primary school and further.
The friends you make are for life, I still have friends from the Goodstart centre in Brisbane I worked in two years ago. Some educators that left the sector as well and even left the NT I am still in contact with.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing the child care sector?
Ratios- 1-11 in preschool. What about the children with challenging behaviours, these children are included into the 1-11 ratio. 2-3 years is 1-5 ratio and then once they hit 3 its 1-11. I find this very challenging in my room as how can you teach a 3 year old and a 5 year old the same thing, the 3 year old finds it too difficult and the 5 year old finds it too easy.
The lack of educators and consistency, children can sense the change, they know who to behave in front of and who they can get away with things. Having to explain the routine to every new casual educator and then they not knowing the children's names and interests is quite difficult at times.
How has your centre changed to deal with these challenges?
We have got funding for one child which is helping a lot in the preschool room. The team works together to ensure the casual educator has a sense of belonging and are shown all the important pieces of information for the day to proceed with the day ahead. The casual educators are shown through the centre and introduced to all the educators and the children in each room.
How does the industry need to change to adapt to these challenges?
Better Wages to attract more qualified people to the industry. Lower ratios-especially preschool room.
What advice would you offer someone thinking about a career or looking for a promotion in child care?
Believe and you will achieve It is a very rewarding job. Think about it, you could have an impact on the future Prime Minister of Australia. Who knows were these children that you guide on a daily basis will be in 25 years. Go for it. Let's make a difference to these children's lives. Also remember to speak up, people in your centre probably feel the same as you and teamwork is essential in this sector.
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